Microorganisms encased in a self-produced exopolysaccharide matrix are known as biofilms. Biofilms are now recognized to be ubiquitous in environmental, industrial and medical settings. By and large, the efficacy of treatment strategies to combat bacterial infections are based on planktonic assays. Bacteria in biofilms are tolerant to antimicrobials (as opposed to resistant). Once established in a wound, for example, eradication is almost impossible. While industrial removal methods may include procedures to break up and disperse the biofilm, this is not an option for infectious biofilms inside the body of a patient (whether human or veterinary). The released bolus of bacteria can have serious ramifications for sepsis and the spread of the infection. This presentation will highlight current and future methods for medical/veterinary biofilm treatment.
